273 N.W. 48 | Neb. | 1937
This is a suit brought under the workmen’s compensation law. The plaintiff, Anna Prescher, as a dependent, obtained an award of compensation in the district court on account of injuries suffered by and resulting in the death of her son, Arthur Prescher. From this award, defendant Baker Ice Machine Company appeals.
The only question necessary for our consideration is whether the deceased was an employee of the defendant Baker Ice Machine Company or an independent contractor.
The deceased sustained injuries resulting in his death while unloading a car-load of coal for the Baker Ice Machine Company. The evidence shows that on and prior to January 9, 1936, Rudolph Prescher, a brother of the deceased, was regularly employed by the Baker Ice Machine
Plaintiff contends that the deceased was an employee because of evidence tending to show that Stender, the company foreman, was directing the work.' The evidence on this point shows that in the forenoon it became necessary to move the car and that Preseher and King were unable to do it with the means at hand. Stender sent a number of regular employees and a company truck to assist, and, upon their failure to move the car, called upon the railroad company to send a switch engine to move it. It also- appears that after the accident Stender assisted in estimating the amount of coal unloaded, in order to determine the amount that Preseher had earned.
Defendant points out, however, that King and Preseher chose their own hours to work, which were different than those of the regular employees of the company; that after the accident King got one Heinze to help him complete the
Whether the deceased was an employee or an independent contractor cannot be decided by a hard and fast rule. The relationship can only be established by a consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case. Showers v. Lund, 123 Neb. 56, 242 N. W. 258. An independent contractor usually enters into a contract to do' a specified piece of work for a specific price; makes his own subcontracts; employs, controls, pays and discharges his own employees; furnishes his own tools and materials; and directs and controls the execution of the work. As we said in the case of Reeder v. Kimball Laundry, 129 Neb. 306, 261 N. W. 562, where these conditions concur, there is no difficulty in determining his character as such. It is only when one or more of these conditions do not exist that a question arises.
The one indispensable element to his character as an independent contractor is that he must have contracted to do a specified piece of work for a specific price. The agreement in the case at bar to unload one car of coal for 25 cents a ton provides this necessary element. In addition thereto, the evidence shows that King and Prescher fixed their own hours, controlled the method and means of doing the work, and, after the injury to Prescher, King engaged Heinze to help him complete the job. The assistance rendered by Stender and other employees of the company in helping to move the car does not indicate that the relationship of employer and employee existed. The interest of the company in assisting to spot this car was the same whichever relation may have existed between them. It is true, however, that the company furnished the tools and materials necessary to unload this car. While this is indicative of the existence of the relationship of employer and employee, it is in no sense controlling. It appears that, because of the location of the coal bin, it was necessary to use
After a consideration of all the evidence in this case, we are convinced that the deceased was an independent contractor and not an employee. The trial court therefore erred in awarding compensation to the plaintiff.
Reversed.